Education

• M.S. Physics, Arizona State University
• B.S. Physics, Memphis State University

Background

I grew up in Memphis, TN, and lived there until I completed my B.S. Then I moved to AZ to pursue my M.S. After completing my formal education, I accepted a research position with IBM at their Watson Research facility in NY. In graduate school I examined the atomic structure of semi-conductor interfaces, and at IBM I examined ceramic structures. I left IBM after two and a half years to move to San Diego. Since coming here 8 years ago, I have been teaching at the university level. My interests have shifted from traditional science to physics education. I have been associated with SDSU for 7 years as an instructor, researcher and project investigator.

Activities/Interests/Plans

At present I am developing a strategy for facilitating conceptual understanding through writing. This strategy is being implemented in the introductory calculus based physics course for science and engineering majors. The project is partially funded through CCD at NSF (award no. DUE-9354375), and is in collaboration with Fred Goldberg.

Prior to this project I worked with a physics course for prospective elementary teachers. I participated in the development of an instructional unit on geometric optics. The unit includes hands-on activities, unique interactive computer programs and writing activities. That project was partially funded by NSF (award nos. MDR-8751901 and TPE-9053803) and in collaboration with Fred Goldberg.

Other Interesting Things

I enjoy theater, I like to cook and I love spending time with my three children (ages 1, 3 and 5) and my husband of eight years.